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Policy changes support the best from India: British diplomats

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Press Trust of India Chennai
Last Updated : Jan 24 2013 | 1:49 AM IST

"The annual limit for the number of skilled migrants coming to the United Kingdom of 20,700 would remain for the next two years. We have also announced changes to our rules that raise the skill levels required for an applicant with effect from June 14, 2012," Thomas Greig, Regional Director - South Asia, UK Border Agency (UKBA) told reporters here.

However, the number would not apply to intra-company transfers, he said.

"We have not set a limit on the number of Indians who can come to the UK by this route," he said, adding, the decision was arrived at after consultations.

As for students, he said the move would not come in the way of genuine students who wanted to pursue higher education in the UK.

The new rules were designed only to ensure that persons coming to the UK as students come to study and not work.

"However, university students who are studying at or above degree level may work for up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time in the holidays. There has been no change to this entitlement," he said.

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UK has issued over 57,000 business visitor visas and over 30,000 student visas from India last year.

"It means 90 per cent of the business visa applications and 75 per cent of the student visa applications were successful. Last year we issued over 15,000 intra-company transfer and skilled work visas in India," he said, adding over 2,50,000 short term visitor visas were issued.

UKBA had processed over 4,00,000 visa applications last year.

The research collaboration between the two countries has grown 90-fold to nearly 100 million pounds, Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai Mike Nithavrianakis said, adding, more than 4,00,000 Indians visited the UK, while over 7,00,000 from the UK visited India. (MORE)

  

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First Published: Jun 18 2012 | 5:05 PM IST

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